Facts about the Tower of Pisa

The Tower of Pisa is one of the most famous monuments in Europe. Located in Italy, in the city of Pisa, attracts thousands of tourists who visit Tuscany eager to see if it is as inclined as it looks in the photos.

It is between 55.7 and 55.8 meters high and weighs 14,700 tons. Construction began on August 9, 1173 and since then it started to lean. It was completed in 1350.

Composition

There are 8 levels. In the first one we find a base of blind arches. In the next six we open semicircular arches, while at the top there is a nice tower with seven bells that can be accessed climbing 294 steps internally to contemplate spectacular views of the city. This is the belfry of the Cathedral of Pisa, which is right next door, a few meters away.

Problems with your inclination

The Italian government was forced to seek help from mathematicians, engineers and historians to avoid its collapse in 1964. Just over two decades later, in January 1990, is no longer accessible to the public for security reasons and not reopened until the December 15, 2001, when they had finished the work of remodeling. It was said at the time that the base would remain safe for at least three centuries thanks to the added 800 metric tons of counterweight.

At present inclination is 3.99 meters, the same as it was in 1700.

It is the steepest in the world

Although it is a considerable inclination, it should be noted that it is not the most inclined tower in the world. Its 4 degree slope south are nothing compared with 6 degrees of tilt Suurhusen steeple in Lower Saxony (Germany).

Difficult to compare data

They say that Galileo Galilei dropped two cannon balls of different masses from above to show that the fall speed did not depend on the mass. On the other hand, no less curious to note that in the main entrance of the Duomo is a small lizard in relief that brings good luck to rub. Or so they say.

The Tower of Pisa is one of the most famous monuments in Europe. Located in Italy, in the city of Pisa, attracts thousands of tourists who visit Tuscany eager to see if it is as inclined as it looks in the photos.
It is between 55.7 and 55.8 meters high...